Hinge assembly for swinging doors



T. F. ANDERSON ET AL 2,604,653 HINGE ASSEMBLY FOR SWINGING DOORS July 29, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 19, 1951 INVENTORS THOMAS E ANDERSON y KENT 14/ BEA/HAM ha C WZ ATTORNEY y 29, 1952 T. F. ANDERSON ET AL 2,604,653

HINGE ASSEMBLY FOR SWINGING DOORS Filed June 19, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 az IN VEN TOR-'5 7740/14/15 F ANDERSON y KENT M BEN/1AM ATTORNEY Patented July 29, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HINGE ASSEMBLY FOR SWINGING DOOR-S Thomas F. Anderson, Chagrin Falls, and Kent W. Benham, South Euclid, Ohio, assignors to The Sanymetal Products 00., Inc, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 19, 1951, Serial No. 232,414

' 10 Claims.

1 This invention relates to hinge assemblies for swinging doors, and more particularly to an improved hinge assembly designed to be concealed within the door structure and yet operate to automatically swing the door to the desired open or closed position. This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Serial No. 35,338, filed June 26, 1948.

Gravity hinges as commonly employed, embody a roller mounted on a structure attached to the door and designed to roll over an inclined track fixed to the adjacent door frame, the door being mounted to have vertical movement to take advantage of gravity force to operate the door. To secure proper gravity action, and the relation necessary between the roller and the inclined cam track, the minimum diameter of the case or housing which encloses the working parts of the hinge should be in the approximate order of two inches or more. The enlarged casing requires that the gravity hinge be mounted below the bottom edge of the door, or set in a notched cutout in the rear edge of the door. Since the hinge casing is exposed to view, it must be chrome plated or finished so that the installation presents a reasonably attractive appearance. Since vertical door movement must be provided for, gravity hinges as presently constructed cannot be used on doors sized to occupy the entire door opening as defined by the door frames.

In the design of toilet partitions, hospital cubicles, service rooms and compartments where sanitation is important, it is highly desirable that the doors and wall surfaces present smooth and regular contours so that they may be easily cleaned and kept sanitary. Gravity hinges heretofore employed, set in exposed position below the lower edge of the door or recessed into the rear edge of the door, present objectionable exposed surfaces and irregularities which gather dirt and are difficult to keep clean.

Door hinge assemblies made in accordance with this invention are constructed to be contained and concealed within the door body. Notching or defacement of the door and door frame is thus avoided. The operating parts of this hinge assembly may be encased and concealed within door bodies of any thickness down to approximately one inch in thickness or less. Mechanism is provided for exerting an impelling force on the door to forcibly swing the door into closed residence position or open residence position, without raising or lowering movement of the door. Thus this improved hinge assembly finds application to numerous types and sizes of doors, and can be used in locations where raising and lowering movement of the door, as occasioned by gravity hinges, is not desirable or permissible.

Since the operating mechanism of this improved hinge assembly is concealed within the door, the parts thereof do not require special finishing or chrome plating, and are fully protected from dirt and weather deterioration. Means are provided by which the residence position of the door may be accurately adjusted by the simple manipulation of a part thereof exposed at the lower edge of the door. This improved door hinge assembly may be mounted on any type or shape of hinge bracket, permitting a wide latitude in the design of the hinge bracket to harmonize with the door and door frame architecture.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved hinge assembly which overcomes the objectionable features of gravity hinges as commonly used.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved hinge assembly operative toautomatically swing the door with which it is associated to any desired residence position, and constructed to permit concealment of the hinge assembly within the normal thickness of the door body.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved hinge assembly operative to automatically swing the door with which it is associated to any desired residence position, substantially without frictional resistance, and without causing lowering or raising movement of the door.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved hinge assembly for swinging doors constructed to permit concealed encasement thereof within the door body, which is operative to urge the door to predetermined residence position without causing raising or lowering movement of the door, which is economical to manufacture and assemble, which can be conveniently and easily installed in the door, and quickly adjusted from a point exterior of the door.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

Although the characteristic features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in

' which Fig. 1 is an elevational View of a typical door mounted in a door frame by means of the improved hinge assembly constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the door and door frame as illustrated in Fig. 1, this view showing the door in various open and closed positions to illustrate the operating characteristics of this improved hinge assembly;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of the upper hinge structure, parts of the door and upper hinge bracket being shown broken away to illustrate structural details;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view through the upper hinge structure showing fragmentary parts of the door and the upper hinge bracket as the same would appear when viewed along line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal view of the upper horizontal edge of the door as viewed along line 5-5 of Fig. 3, this view showing the horizontal face of the upper door bracket with the bearing unit seated therein and a cross section of the associated hinge pintle;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevational view of the lower hinge structure, parts of the door and the lower hinge bracket being shown broken away to illustrate structural details;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view through the lower hinge structure showing fragmentary parts of the door and lower hinge bracket as the same would appear when viewed along line 'I-'| of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the door and lower hinge structure as viewed along line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a cam track member which may be associated with the lower hinge structure;

Fig. 10 is a vertical cross sectional view of the cam track member as viewed along line l-l0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an elevational view of a cam track member'of modified form which may be selectively associated with the lower hinge structure; and

Fig. 12 is a vertical cross sectional view of the modified form of cam member as viewed along line l2-l2 of Fig. 11.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings and specification.

The improved hinge assembly constructed in accordance with this invention may be associated with almost any type of door anddoor frame, including doors which occupy the full area of the door openingas defined by the door frame, as well as doors. which are variously spaced from the door sill and/or the door head frame.v For purposes of illustration there is shown in Fig. 1, one form of door I with which this improved hinge assembly may be associated, the door being snugly fitted between the jamb edge 4 of the front frame member 2 and the jamb edge of the rear frame member 3.

The door is hingedly mounted upon an upper hinge bracket 6 and a lower hinge bracket I which may be of any desired construction. As illustrated in Fig. 1, each hinge bracket may comprise a horizontal arm 8 having rearwardly projecting spaced wings 9. Bolts l0 extending through the wings 9 and through the rear frame member 3 may be provided to firmly secure the hinge brackets in fixed position. It will be appreciated that the hinge brackets may be of any desired shape or design to provide a support for the hinge pintles, and may be variously secured or attached to the rear frame member.

The door I may be constructed in any desired shape and size of metal, wood or other material, and may vary from approximately one inch in thickness to two or more inches in thickness. As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the door I may comprise a pair of metal side wall forming panels II arranged in spaced relationship. The space between the side wall panels H may be packed with suitable sound deadening insulation l2, except for the limited spaces I2 and I2 which receive parts of the upper and lower hinge structures. A top edging strip [3, a front edging strip M, a bottom edging strip l5 and a rear edging strip l5 may be crimped, welded or otherwise formed or secured to the adjacent edges of the side wall panels I l to provide a strong and sturdy door construction.

The rear corners of the door may be reinforced and strengthened by a bottom bracket 20 and a top corner bracket 2! secured to the door structure, the brackets presenting contours which interfit and harmonize with the adjacent door edging sections. Each corner bracket is sturdily constructed and may be formed as a metal casting, presenting a horizontal leg 22 and a vertical leg 23. Each upper and lower horizontal leg 22 may be provided with an inset fac portion 22', as shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 3 and 6, so that the horizontal arm 8 of the adjacent hinge bracket will interfit therewith, maintaining the overall height of the door substantially uniform throughout. To attain line symmetry, the horizontal arm 8 of the top hinge bracket 6 may extend in substantially the same plane as the top edging strip [3 of the door, and the horizontal arm 8 of the lower hinge bracket '5 may extend in substantially the same plane as the bottom edging strip l5 of the door. A neat and symmetrical door construction and door mounting is thus provided in which the projecting horizontal arms 3 of the hinge brackets are contoured within the door dimensions to present smooth flowing lines of attractive appearance.

The upper rear edge of the door I is pivotally mounted on the horizontal arm 8 of the upper hinge bracket 6 by means of an upper hinge structure as shown more particularly in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. The horizontal leg 22 of the upper corner bracket 2| presents a boss portion 24 projecting inwardly between the panel sheets H of the door. The boss portion 24 has a bore 25 which receives an upper pintle rod 36. The inset face portion 22' of the corner bracket 2| also presents a pocket 28 designed to receive a bearing unit 40.

The pintle rod 30' is provided with a threaded end portion 3| which extends through the horizontal arm 8 of the top hinge bracket 6 and is fixed thereto as by a cap nut 32. The shank 33 of the pintle rod 38 extends into the free space I 2' between the door facing sheets H, and presents a reduced neck portion 3 1 which extends through the bearing unit and an inset shoulder 35 adjacent which the bearing unit 40 is designed to seat. The bearing unit 59 presents a section 4| adapted to seat against a clamp ring 42. The inner periphery of the clamp ring 42 seats within a groove 36 formed in the pintle rod 30 adjacent the reduced neck portion 34 thereof. The bearing unit 40 also includes a rotatable section 43 which forms a bearing race- Way with the companion section 4| within which ball bearings 44 are positioned. A bearing cup 45 enclosing the bearing sections 4! and 43,- seats within the bearing pocket 26, and is supported by the rotatable bearing section 43 to rotate with the swinging movement of the door I the pintle rod 30, the companion bearing section 4| and the clamp ring 42 normally remaining stationary. When the nut 32 is tightened, the horizontalar'm 8 of the hinge bracket 6 is clamped between the nut 32 and the clamp ring 42 to maintain the pintle .rod in rigidly fixed position. As thus constructed, the upper edge of the door has a ball bearing mounting which reduces frictional resistance to swinging movement of the door.

The door'l is supported upon the horizontal arm 8 of the lower hinge bracket 1 and is connected thereto by a hinge structure constructed as shown more particularly in Figs. 6 to 12 inclusive. As shown in Figs. 6 and '7, the horizontalleg22 of the lower corner bracket 20 has aboss portion 48 projecting inwardly between the panel sheets I l of the door. The boss portion presents a bore 4! through which the lower pintle rod projects. The inset face 22' of the lower corner bracket 20 also presents a pocket 48 designed to receive and contain a thrust bearing unit 68.

The lower pintle rod 50- is positioned in axial alignment with the upper pintle rod 30 and has a shank portion 53 which projects for a substantial distance into the free space 12" between the panel sheets II. The lower pintle rod 50 is provided with av threaded end portion 5| at the lower end thereof which extends through the horizontal arm 8 of the lower hinge bracket 1 and is normally fixed there-to by a nut 52. The lower end of the pintle rod 50 is provided with a slot 59 to which a screw driver may be applied to effect orientation of the pintle rod 50, when the nut 52 is loosened or removed, for a purpose which will presently appear. 7

The lower end portion of the pintle rod 50 presents a reduced neck portion 54 which extends through the bearing unit and defines an inset shoulder 55 adjacent which the bearing unit 50 is designed to seat. The bearing unit (ill presents a section 5| designed to seat against a clamp ring 52. The inner periphery of the clamp ring 52 seats within a groove 53 formed in the pintle rod 50 adjacent the reduced neck portion 54 thereof. The bearing unit so also includes a rotatable section 83 which forms a bearing raceway with the companion section 6| within whichball bearings B4 are positioned. A hearing cup embraces the bearing sections BI and 63, seats within the bearing pocket 48, and is supported by the rotatable bearing section 63 so that the bearing cup 65 and the rotatable bearing section 63 will rotate with the swinging movementof the door I; the pintle rod 50, the companion bearing section El and the clamp ring 52 normally remaining stationary. When the nut 52 is tightened, the horizontal arm 8 of the hinge bracket is thus clamped between the nut: 52 and the clamp ring 62 to maintain the pintle rod 50 in rigidly fixed position. As thus constructed, the lower edge of the door also has a ball bearing mounting which reduces frictional resistance to swinging movement of the door.

Mechanism wholly contained within the door body and housed in the space 12" between the door panel sheets H, is mounted on the elongated shank portion 53 of the lower pintle rod 50 to automatically return the opened door to closed position. This mechanism, as shown in Figs. 6 to I2 inclusive, comprises a U-shaped rider is contained within the free space 12" bracket 10 having spaced upper and lower legs H and 12 extending substantially horizontally within the door and connected by a base section 13. The upper and lower legs H and 12 terminate in aligned collar portions 14 through which the shank 53 of the lower pintle rod 50 extends. Each collar portion 14 contains a bearing sleeve 15 so that the rider bracket 10 is free to swing on the normally stationary pintle rod 50 and to also move lengthwise thereof substantially without friction during swinging movement of the door.

The base section 13 of the rider bracket 10 extends substantially parallel to but inwardly spaced from the pintle rod 50 and when installed between the door panel sheets II as shown in Fig. 6. A hearing stud 16, asshown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, projects outwardly from the base section 13 of the rider bracket 10 and supports a ball bearing roller 11 whose axis is parallel to the panel sheets H of the door. The roller 71 has an inner ring section 18 fixed to the bearing stud 16 and is embraced by an outer ring section 79. The inner ring section 18 and the outer ring section 19 of the roller 11 define a bearing raceway therebetween for ball bearings 19', thereby ensuring substantially frictionless rotation of the outer ring section 19 on the inner ring section 18 as the rider bracket vertically reciprocates during swinging movement of the door. The outer end of the bearing stud 16 may be provided with a flared head portion 16 to retain the roller 11 thereon. It will be noted by referring to Figs. '7

and 8 that the rotatable ring section 19 of the 3' roller I7 is positioned to selectively roll against pintle rod extends.

either one of the adjacent inside faces of the door panel sheets I I when the rider bracket 10 is vertically manipulated along the shank 53 of the pintle rod 50 by door swinging action.

The rider bracket 19 is supported on the pintle rod 50 by a cylindrical cam member mounted on the pintle rod 50 and positioned between the door panel sheets H. The cam member has an axial bore 8| through which the shank 53 of the The lower edge of the cam member maybe provided with a pair of diametrically spaced notches 82 through which a lock pin 83 extends. The lock pin 83 also extends diametrically through the shank 53 of the pintle rod 50 so that the projecting end portions of the lock pin 83 provide a fixed support for the cam member. A series of vertically spaced holes extending diametrically through the shank 53 of the pintle rod 50 may be provided to permit elevational adjustment of the cam member.

The cam member 80 as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is provided with an upwardly extending tubular wall 84 whose upper free edge defines a track way 85 on which a cam roller 98 associated with a rider bracket Ill may roll. The cam track 85 presents a valley point 86 which is connected by smoothly contoured inclined trackway sections 88 and 89 to depressed ridge points 81 and 81'. The cam member 80 is so mounted on the shank 53 of the pintle rod 50 that the valley point 86 of its trackway normally defines the closed position of the door and the depressed ridge points 81 and 8'! define the maximum opened positions of the two-way swinging door, when mounted to swing in either direction b or b" as shown in Fig. 2.

The cam roller 90 is mounted on a bearing stud 9| projecting from a sturdy neck portion 8 I which may be formed integral with the base section '13- or the rider bracket 10. As shown m Figs. 6, land 8, the-bearingstud ill is. positioned between the upper and lower legs 11' and. 12 of the rider bracket I and may project towards the shank 53 of the pintlerod 50 at an upwardly 1nclined angle. The roller 90' comprises an-mncr bearing ring 93' which is fixed to the bearing stud BI, and an outer bearing ring 9%. The inner and outer bearing'rings 93 and define a bearing raceway there-between for thereception of ball bearings 95. The bearing stud 9| may be provided with a head portion to retain the cam roller 98 thereon. The cam roller 80 is designed to rollover the trackway of the cam member and providessupport for the rider bracket").

A helical loading spring 96 telescopes over the shank 53 of the pintle rod 50, with the lower end 98'! of' the spring seating against the collar portion IA of the upperleg II of the rider bracket 0.. The upper end 96- of the helical spring 9%: seats against a bearing unit I68. The upper end portion 51 of the pintle shank 53 is threaded to receive a nut 58 so that the bearing unit I09 is clamped between-thenut 58 and the upper end 96 of the helical spring 96'. The bearing unit Iiiiipermits substantially frictionless rotation of the helical spring 86 with the swinging movement of the rider bracket I8. I

The bearing unit I88 as shown in Figs. 6 and '7 maycomprise a rotatable bearing section I02 and a fixed bearing section IilI whose rotation is resisted by frictional contact with the nut 58. The-fixed section IIJI and the rotatable section I82 of the bearing unit I00 define a bearing raceway therebetween for the reception of ball bearings I 03. A bearing cup I04 encloses the bearing sections IUI'and I82 and seats. against the upper end 96" of'the helical spring 96. By manipulating the nut 58; the helical spring 96 ma b pressed to any desired degree to thereby exert a predetermined downward thrust or pressure loadv on the upper leg II of the rider bracket '18. This predetermined pressure load is in turn transmitted by the rider bracket I0 to its cam roller 9.0 which is supported by the normally fixed cam member 88 attached to the pintle rod 58 as previously described.

The cam member 88 isso mounted on'the pintle rod 58' that itsvalley point 88 is oriented to'normally maintain'thedoor in the closed position a. as shown in Fig. When the door i is physically swung in the direction b as shown in Fig. 2, the

cam-roller 88 may travel from its resid'enceposition at the valley point 86, upwardly along the inclined track section 88 in residence position at the depressed ridge point 81, thereby maintaining. the door in the open position as shown at c in Fig. 2. When a slight closing force is applied to. the door, the spring loaded rider bracket ID will, swing the door through the are 1) as shown in Fig; 2 to its closed position a. If the door is physically swung in the opposite direction through the are I) as shown in Fig. 2, the cam roller '98 will travel from its residence position at thevalley point 86 of the cam track 85 upwardly along the opposite inclined track section 89- until the cam roller 98 is in residence at the depressed ridge point 8'1 of the cam track to thereby maintain the door in open position 0' as shown in Fig. 2. The door may be moved to closed position by exerting a light initial closing push to the door, whereupon the cam roller 90 will roll down the inclined track section 89"to residence positionat the valley point; 86 under 8 the swinging impetus of the spring loaded rider bracket I0.

'If it is desired to have the door open in one direction only,'a cam member of the type shown in Figs. 11 and 12 may be mounted on the pintle rod 58 as'by the lock pin 83. The cam member 80' may 'be constructed substantially similar to the cam member shown in Figs. 9 and 10 except for a change in shape of the tubular camming wall 84 thereof. As shown in Figs.

1-1 and 12, the camming wall 84' is shaped to provide a one way cam track 85 whose valley point 86 locates the door in closed position, and

an inclined track section 88 which terminates in a depressed ridge portion 81 which may be located beyond the open position, so that the door will be maintained in open residence position from 90 to approximately from its closed position, with the door swinging in through the are I) as shown in Fig. 2. The tubular wall 84' of cam'member 80' may also present a substantially vertical edge 89 rising from the valley point 86 of the cam track to serve as a stop abutment for the cam roller 90.

It will be noted that the cam members 80 and 80' may be made interchangeable to provide for a two-way or one-way swing mounting for the door in accordance with customer requirements. By a selected shaping of the cam track any desired door swinging action may be achieved.

The spring loaded rider bracket I8 provides a radial arm whereby substantial swinging force is exerted on the door when the cam roller 80 rolls over the inclined sections of the cam member, even though the radius of the cam track is relatively small. By an appropriate manipulation of the adjusting nut 58, the swinging force exerted on the door tending to return it from opened to closed position may be increased or diminished as desired. This swinging force exerted on the door is further augmented by the relatively steep inclination of the inclined track sections 88 or 89 and by the further fact that the door pushing roller 11 which applies the closing force to the door permits the rider bracket I0 to reciprocate vertically on the pintle rod 50 substantially without friction. Swinging movement of the door is further augmented and enhanced by providing the cam roller 90 with ball bearings, and by providing the upper and lower bearing units 48 and 68 on which the door is supported with ball bearings. Means are provided to effect adjustment of the pintle rod 50 to retain the door in correct residence position with the front edge of the door in true alignment with the jamb edge 4 of the front frame member 2'. This adjustment is effected externally of the door, by simply loosening the exposed nut 52 which clamps the pintle rod 50 in fixed position to the horizontal arm 8 of the lower hinge bracket 1. By means of a screw driver applied to the exposed screw driver slot 59 in the pintle rodQEB, the pintle rod 50 may be turned to orient valley point of a cam member fixed'there'to in a position to retain the door in selected closed position. The nut 52 may then be retightened to firmly secure the pintle rod 50 against movement. Orientation of the door to accurate closed position may thus be easily effected at any time without removing the door from its pivot mountings.

The door is substantially fully constructed to any design or shape before the upper and lower hinge assemblies are connected thereto. The

9 door as fabricated is provided with the free spaces [2 and I 2 between the panel sheets H thereof to receive parts of the hinge structures.

In connecting the upper hinge structure to the door body, the upper bearing unit 40 is first telescoped over the threaded end portion 3! of the upper pintle rod 30 to embrace the reduced neck portion 34 thereof, with the bearing cup 45 seating adjacent the inset shoulder 35 of the pintle rod 30. The clamp ring 42 is then telescoped over the threaded end portion 3| of the hinge pintle 30 and the clamp ring compressed so that its inner periphery seats within the pintle groove 36 to thereby provide a support for the upper bearing unit it. The shank portion 33 of the pintle rod 30 is then telescoped through the bore 25 in the boss portion 24 of the top corner bracket 2! so that the bearing unit 40 seats within the bearing receiving pocket 26 in the horizontal leg 22 of the corner bracket 2|, with the shank portion 33 of the pintle rod 30 projecting into the door space 12. If desired, the top corner bracket 2! may be secured to the door either before or after the shank portion 33 of the pintle rod 30 is inserted through the bore 25 of the bracket. The horizontal arm 3 of the upper hinge bracket 5 can then be applied to the threaded end portion 3! of the pintle rod 30 and clamped against the clamp ring 42 by the cap nut 32.

The lower hinge structure as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is assembled by placing the cam member 80 or 80 between the upper and lower legs II and 12 of the rider bracket 70 and applying them to the shank portion 53 of the pintle rod 50 by first inserting the threaded end portion 51 of the pintle rod 50 through the bearing sleeve 15 associated with the lower leg 12 of the rider bracket 10, then telescoping the bearing member 30 or 893 over the threaded end portion 5'! of the pintle rod, then inserting the end portion 51 of the pintle rod through the bearing sleeve 15 in the upper leg H of the bearing bracket 70, and then sliding the rider bracket 10 and the cam member 80 or 88 into position on the shank portion 53 of the pintle rod 50. The lock pin 53 is then inserted through the shank portion 53 of the pintle rod to provide a fixed support for the cam member 80 or 80'. The helical spring 96 is then telescoped over the threaded end portion 51 of the pintle rod 50 so that its lower end 96- seats against the collar portion I4 of the upper rider bracket leg H. The bearing unit I is then telescoped over the threaded end portion 51 of the pintle rod 50 to seat against the upper end 96" of the helical loading spring 96, and the nut 58 then applied and tightened so that the helical spring 96 will exert the desired loading pressure on the rider bracket 70 and cam roller 90.

The lower threaded end portion of the pintle rod may then be telescoped through the bore 41 of the boss portion 46 of the unattached lower corner bracket 29. The bearing unit 60 is then telescoped over the threaded end portion 5| of the pintle rod 5t to seat within the bearing receiving pocket 48 of the corner bracket 20. The clamp ring 62 is then clamped into position so that its inner periphery seats within the pintle rod groove 56. The shank portion 53 of the pintle rod groove 55. The shank portion 53 of the pintle rod 50, with the nut 58, bearing unit I00, helical loading spring 93, rider bracket and cam member 80 or 80 all mounted thereon as above described, is then telescoped into the .frame member 3 as by the bolts [0.

Iii

space I2" within the door body before the corner bracket 29 is secured to the door body. The corner bracket 20 may be secured to the door body either before or after the bearing unit 60 and the clamp ring 62 have been applied to the pintle rod 50. The threaded end portion 5| of the pintle rod is then inserted into the conformed hole in the arm 8 of the lower hinge bracket 1 and the nut 52 applied thereto to rigidly clamp the hinge bracket arm 8 between the nut 52 and the clamp ring 62.

The door is thus fully assembled with the upper and lower hinge structures and associated upper and lower corner brackets 2i and 23 fully mounted thereon, and with the arms 8 of the upper and lower hinge brackets 6 and l secured to the pintle rods by the holding nuts 32 and 52', before the spaced wings 9 of the upper and lower hinge brackets 6 and I are attached to the rear door By thus fully attaching and assembling the upper and lower hinge structures to the door body before the upper and lower hinge brackets 6 and I are attached to the rear door member 3, assembly and erection of the door is greatly expedited and smooth swinging action obtained. After the door has been mounted on the rear door frame member 3, attention can be given to the orientation of the lower pintle rod 50 by the application of a screw driver to the screw driver slot 59 in the end thereof to establish the desired residence position of the closed door as previously described.

The upper and lower bearing units 40 and 69 insure substantially frictionless swinging movement of the door so that the helical cam loading spring 96 may exert its maximum door swinging effect. Swinging movement of the door is further facilitated by the bearing unit I00 which seats against the upper end of the helical spring and by the provision of roller bearing mountings for the cam roller 90 and pressure roller 11. Thus the swinging mechanism associated with the pintle rod 50 will operate to swing relatively heavy doors as thus mounted even though a cam member or 80 of relatively small diameter is used.

Door hinge assemblies constructed in accordance with this invention present a number of important advantages over gravity hinges as heretofore constructed and employed. This im'' proved hinge assembly operates automatically and requires no elevating and lowering movement of the door for its proper functioning. The door can be made the full size of the door opening, with the door accurately lined up with the door lamb. Since the hinge assembly is fully concealed within the door, the operating parts are protected from dust, dirt and the weather, do not require special finishing, and can thus be made of less expensive materials. The same size and design of hinge assembly can be used for numerous different types and kind of doors, thus making unnecessary special door hinge assemblies to accommodate various types of doors. Since effective operation of this improved hinge assembly is independent of the type and'kind of mounting brackets employed, the door hinge brackets can be simplified and streamlined into numerous and various shapes, harmonizing with the architectural lines of the door and door frame. Further, since the door closing hinge assembly as shown in Figs. 6 to 12 inclusive is not gravity operated, but derives its door swinging power from its helical loading spring 96, this 1 l hinge assembly can be associated with either the upper or lower ends of doors mounted to swing on a vertical axis, or at either end of doors mounted to swing on a horizontal axis. By the use of these improved hinge assemblies, projecting hinge parts which gather dust and dirt may be avoided, and greater latitude permitted in the design of doors and door frames in harmony with the advanced architectural designs.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed herein, and are pointed out in the claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. An improved door hinge structure including, a stationary pintle rod having an end portion adapted to be fixed to an exterior hinge bracket and a shank portion extending into the door body, a bearing unit centered on said pintle rod for swingably supporting the door body from the hinge bracket, a stationary cam member presenting a cam track contained within said door body and supported from said hinge bracket, a reciprocable member mounted within the door body, means for guiding the reciprocable movement of said member in a direction generally parallel to said pintle rod and including a pressure roller rotatably mounted on said reciprocable member extending inwardly of the door body between the interior faces of the walls thereof and operative to exert swinging pressure against an interior part of the door body to swing the door, a cam roller rotatably supported by said reciprocable member within the door body and positioned for rolling engagement with the cam track of said cam member, and means within the door body for applying a camming load on said cam roller to effect swinging movement of the door to residence position.

2. An improved door hinge structure including, a stationary pintle rod having an end portion adapted to be fixed to an exterior hinge bracket and a shank portion extending into the door body, a bearing unit centered on said pintle rod for swingably supporting the door body from the hinge bracket, a stationary cam member presenting a cam track contained within said door body and supported from said hinge bracket, a reciprocable member mounted within the door body, means for guiding the reciprocable movement of said member in a direction generally parallel to said pintle rod and including a stud portion extending from said reciprocable member inwardlyv of. the door body between the interior faces of the walls thereof and a pressure roller rotatably mounted on said stud portion and operative to exert swinging pressure against an interior part of the door body to swing the door, a cam roller rotatably supported by said reciprocable member within the door body and positioned for rolling engagement with the cam track of said cam member, and means within the door body for applying a camming load on said cam roller to effect swinging movement of the door to residence position.

3. An improved door hinge structure includingv a stationary pintle rod having an end portion adapted to be fixed to an exterior hinge bracket and a shank portion extending into the door body, a roller bearing unit centered on said pintle rod for swingably supporting the door body from the hinge bracket, a stationary cam member presenting a cam track contained within the door body centered on and fixed to said pintle rod, a reciprocable member within the door body, means for guiding the reciprocable movement of said member in a direction generally parallel to said pintle rod and including a stud portion extending from said reciprocable member inwardly of the door body between the interior faces of the walls thereof and a roller bearing pressure roller rotatably mounted on said stud portion and operative to exert swinging pressure against an interior part of the door body to swing the door, a second stud portion projecting from said reciprocable member, a roller bearing cam roller rotatably mounted on said second stud portion and positioned for rolling engagement with the cam track of said cam member, and means within the door body for applying a pressure load on said cam roller to effect swinging movement of the door to residence position.

4. An improved door hinge structure including, a stationary pintle rod having an end portion adapted to be fixed to an exterior hinge bracket and a shank portion extending into the door body, a bearing unit centered on said pintle rod for swingably supporting the door body from the hinge bracket, a stationary cam member presenting a cam track contained within the door body centered on and fixed to said pintle rod, a reciprocable member within the door body, means for guiding the reciprocable movement of said member in a direction generally parallel to said pintle rod and including a pressure roller rotatably mounted on said reciprocable member extending inwardly of the door body between the interior faces of the walls thereof and operative to exert swinging pressure against an interior part of the door body to swing the door, a cam roller rotatably supported by said reciprocable member within the door body and positioned for rolling engagement with the cam track of said cam member, means within the door body for applying a camming load on said cam roller to eiTect swinging movement of the door to residence position, and means associated with the end portion of said pintle rod whereby said pintle rod may be adjusted from the exterior of the door body to selectively orient said cam member and accordingly selectively adjust the residence position of the mounted door.

5. An improved door hinge structure including, a stationary pintle rod having an end portion adapted to be fixed to an exterior hinge bracket and a shank portion extending into the door body, a bearing unit centered on said pintle rod for swingably supporting the door body from the hinge bracket, a stationary cam member presenting a cam track contained within the door body centered on and fixed to said pintle rod, a rider bracket within the door body having a leg section swingably and slidably mounted on said pintle rod and projecting inwardly of the door body, said rider bracket having a second section secured to the projecting end of said leg section spaced from and extending substantially parallel to said pintle rod and adjacent said cam member, means extending from the second section of said rider bracket inwardly of the door body between the interior faces of the walls thereof operative to exert swinging pressure against an interior part of the door body to swing the door, a cam roller rotatably mounted on the second section of said rider bracket and positioned for rolling engagement with the cam track of said cam member. and means within the door body for 6. An improved door hinge structure including,

a stationary pintle rod having'an end portion adapted to be fixed to an exterior hinge bracketand a shank portion extending into the door body, a bearing unit centered on said pintle rod for swingably supporting the door body from the hinge bracket, a stationary cam memberpresenting a cam track contained within the door body centered on and fixed to said pintle rod,"a rider bracket Within the door body having a pair of spaced leg sections positioned on oppositesides of said cam member and swingably and slidably mounted on said pintle rod and projecting inwardly of the door body, said rider bracket having a section connecting the projecting ends of said leg sections spaced from and extending substantially parallel to said pintle rod and adjacent said cam member, means extending from said connecting section inwardly of the door body between the interior faces of the walls thereof operative to exert swinging pressure against an interior part of the door body to swing the door, a cam roller rotatably mounted on said connecting section and positioned for rolling engagement with the cam track of said cam member, and means within the door body for applying a pressure load on said rider bracket and cam roller to eifect swinging movement of the door to residence position.

7. An improved door hinge structure including, a stationary pintle rod having an end portion adapted to be fixed to an exterior hinge bracket and a shank portion extending into the door body, a bearing unit centered on said pintle rod for swingably supporting the door body from the hinge bracket, a stationary cam member presenting a cam track contained within the door body centered on and fixed to said pintle rod, a rider bracket within the door body having a leg section swingably and slidably mounted on said pintle rod and projecting inwardly of the door body, said rider bracket having a second section secured to the projecting end of said leg section spaced from and extending substantially parallel to said pintle rod and adjacent said cam member, a stud portion extending from said second section of said rider bracket inwardly of the door body between the interior faces of the walls thereof, a pressure roller rotatably mounted on said stud portion and operative to exert swinging pressure against an interior part of the door body to swing the door, a second stud portion extending from said second section of the rider bracket toward said cam member, a cam roller rotatably mounted on said second stud portion and positioned for rolling engagement with the cam track of said cam member, and means within the door body for applying a pressure load on said rider bracket and cam roller to effect swinging movement of the door to residence position.

8. An improved door hinge structure including, a stationary pintle rod having an end portion adapted to be fixed to an exterior hinge bracket and a shank portion extending into the door body, a bearing unit centered on said pintle rod for swingably supporting the door body from the hinge bracket, a stationary cam member presenting a cam track contained within the door body centered and removably supported on said pintle rod, a reciprocable member within the door body of generally U-shaped form and presenting a base section spaced from said cam member and a pair ofleg: section's straddling said cam member, and

swingably "and slidably mounted on said" pintle.

rod," said reciprocable member having means extending inwardly-of the door body between the 1 interior faces of the :walls thereof and operative to exert swinging pressure against'an interior part of thedoor to swing the door, a cam roller rotatably= supported bysaid reciprocable member, within: the door Ibo'dy. =and positioned for 1 rolling engagement with the cam track of said cam mem ber, means :within the door bodyf'or applying a camming load on said cam roller to effect swinging movement ofythe door to residence position, and means .associ'ate'd with lithe end portion of said pintle rod whereby said pintle rod may be adjusted from the exterior of the door body to selectively orient said cam member and accordingly selectively adjust the residence position of the mounted door.

9. An improved door hinge structure including, a stationary pintle rod having an end portion adapted to be fixed to an exterior hinge bracket and a shank portion extending into the door body,

a roller bearing unit centered on said pintle rod for swingably supporting the door body from the hinge bracket, a stationary cam member presenting' a cam track contained within the door body centered and mounted on said pintle rod, a radius member within the-door body swingably and slidably mounted on said pintle rod and extending inwardly of the door body, said radius member having means extending inwardly of the door body between the interior faces of the walls thereof and operative to exert swinging pressure against an interior part of the door body to swing the door, a cam roller rotatably mounted on said radius member and positioned for rolling engagement with the cam track of said cam member, a helical spring telescoped over the shank portion of said pintle rod and supported at one end thereof by said radius member, a roller bearing unit telescoped over the inner end of said shank portion and seating against the opposite inner end of said helical spring, and means adjustably secured to the end of said shank portion operative to selectively adjust the pressure load exerted by said helical spring on said radius member and cam roller.

10. An improved door hinge structure including, a stationary pintle rod having an end portion adapted to be fixed to an exterior hinge bracket and a shank portion extending into the door body, a roller bearing unit centered on said pintle rod for swingably supporting the door body from the hinge bracket, a stationary cam member presenting a cam track contained within the door body centered on and supported by said pintle rod, a rider bracket within the door body having a leg section swingably and slidably mounted on said pintle rod and projecting inwardly of the door body, said rider bracket having a second section secured to the projecting end of said leg section and extending substantially parallel to said pintle rod and adjacent said cam member, a stud portion extending from said second section of said rider bracket inwardly of the door body between the interior faces of the Walls thereof, a pressure roller rotatably mounted on said stud portion and operative to exert swinging pressure against an interior part of the door body to swing the door, a second stud portion extending from said second section of the rider bracket toward said cam member, a cam roller rotatably mounted on said second stud portion and positioned for rolling engagement with the'cam track of saidcam memher, a helical spring telescoped over the shank portion of said pintle rod and supported at one end thereof by the leg section of said rider bracket, a roller bearing unit telescoped over the 5 inner end of said shank portion and seating against the opposite end of said helical spring, and an adjustable nut threaded to the inner end of said shank portion and operative to selectively adjust the pressure load exerted by said helical 10 spring on said rider bracket and cam roller.

THOMAS F. ANDERSON. KENT W. BENHAM.

REFERENCES CITED 'Ihe following references are of record in the file of this patent: I V

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Re. 17,748 586,146 708,214 894,442 1,056,17 1 1,243,906 1,583,084 1,655,048

Name 'Date Kimball July 29, 1930 Steinfeldt July 13, 1897 Foster Sept.'2', 1902 Kalsow July 28, 1908 Henry Mar. 18, 1913 Wambsgans 'et a1. Oct. 23, 1917 Malmberg May 4, 1926 Blackwell Jan. 3,1928 

